Parallel-jaw pliers with adjustable gap



Nov. 27, 192s. 1,415,642A

H. H. MATHIS PARALLEL JAW PLERS WITH ADJUSTABLE GA? Filed Aug. 23. 192.2l v J 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 27, 1923; 1,475,642

H. H. MATHIS n PARALLEL JAW PLIERS WITH ADJUSTABLE GAP Filed Aug. 25:. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 me/Yukon TMML awww,

Nov. 27,1923. 1,475,64@

H. H. MATHIS PARALLEL JAW PLIERS WITH ADJUSTABLE GAP Filed Aug. 23, 1922 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 27, 1923.l

UNITED STATI-:s

HENRY H. MATHIS, 0F NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

` PARALLEL-JAV PLIERS WITH ADJUSTABLE GAP.

Application filed August .63, 1922.' Serial No. 583,830.

To all whom t 'may concern Be it known that I, HENRY H. MATHIS, citizen of the United States, residing at N ew Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Parallel- Jaw Pliers with Adjustable Gaps, of which the following is a` specification.

This invention relates to parallel jaw pliers and has for its main object to provide an implement of this character, the gripping jaws of which will always stand in parallel relation to present a maximum gripping surface to the object which is held thereby.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustment for positioning the jaws of the pliers in accordance with the size ot the object to be operated upon without increasing the spread of the handles beyond the reach of the hand.

A still further object is to so construct the adjusting means for the width or' the gap that the adjustment may be peritormedfpractically instantaneously and that the power of the pliers remains the rsame whether set for a narrow or wide gap.

ln the accompanying drawings- Fig. 1 represents the left hand side elevation of a pair of pliers of simple construction, that is without gap adjustment;

Fig. 2 is a right-hand side view or the pliers illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation oi the same;

Fig. 4 represents a lefthand side view of a pair of pliers with an adjusting device and the jaws set for a narrow gap;

Fig. 5 is a. similar view to Fig. l with the jaws set for a wide gap;

Fig. 6 is a section along line 6 6 of Fig. 4l'

Fig. 7 is a left-hand side view of the pliers with a. modi'lied form of the adjusting device;

Fig. 8 is the right-hand side of the pliers shown in Fig. 7;

l Fig. 9 is a fragmentary rear view of .Fig 8;

Fig. 10 is a section along line 10-1O of Fig. 8 and Fig. 1l is a section along line 11--11 of Fio'. 10 in enlarged scale.

eferring now particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 they show the pliers, forming the subject matter of this invention, in its simplest form, that is to say without gap adjustment, consists of two Shanks 15 and 16 providing suitable handles, and pivotedas at 17 0n a rivet or bolt. The shank 15 yterminates with a fixed jaw 18 standing substantially at right-angles to the direction ofthe shank 15 while the shank 16 forms a short varm 19 upon which the inner jaw 20 is fulcrumed on the rivet or the like as at 2l, in such a manner that if thetwo Shanks were separated the jaw 20 would revolve around the `pivot 2l upon the shank 16. The jaw 20 is, however, on` its lower side provided with two bearinv points 22 which are preferably rounded an adapted to engage with the cam surface provided on the adjacent side of the shank 15. FVith the pliers in closed position as seen in Figs. l and 2 the axis of pivot 21 is situated on radial line Ae-A upon which the center for arc 23 is situated. Theradius'for this arc coincides with the distance between the axes of journals 17 and 21 and the lowest point of the cam surface as `at 24 is situated on line B-B parallel to line A-A and also to gripping face of jaw 18. This line B-B runs through the center of journal 17 and' a third line C-C parallel to the others determines the second arc 25 of the cam surtace, the center for which is situated on said line. The'distance between lines A-A and B-B is the same as between the lines B-B and C-C.

It is evident that the size of the pliers may be varied but supposing the main gap of the pliers were to be of an inch, then the distance between the parallel lines would be i; of an inch, so as to permit a swinging oit journal 21 around journal 17 from line A--A over to line C-C that would be of an inch. In this case the distance between the axis ofjournals 17 and 21 should be 1 inch, and the radius for the arcs 23 and 25 should also be 1 inch. It will be evident, that in moving the Shanks from full line position into the dotted line position, the points 22 of the movable jaw 2O would compel the latter to always stand parallel with the gripping surface of the fixed jaw 18 and that the width of the maximum gap indicated by dotted lines in the example just given, would amount to of an inch.

The pliers illustrated in Figs. fl, 5 and 6 are of the same character as that just described with the addition of the adjustable feature'of the gap. In this case the pliers as before consist of a shank 25 with a. Xed jaw 26 and a second shank 27 upon which the movable jaw 28 is journaled as at29 as already described. The connection between the jaws in this case, however, differs from that described in Figs. l, 2 and 3 in that a stud 30 is rigidly secured in the shank 27 and is for this purpose provided with a shoulder 3l between which and a nut 32 the shank 27 is clamped. This shoulder 31, entirely lills the opening 32 provided in the shank 25 and the stud has a narrow neck 33 outsideogt which a collar 34 is provided. This neck or collar protrudes vbeyond the left hand surface of the shank 25 and a locking plate 35ispivoted as at 36 on the shank 25. This locking plate has two notches 37 and 38, the former being shown in engagement with the neck 33 of' the stud 30 in Figs. 4 and 5. In this manner the two Shanks 25 and 2,7 are held together and cannot come apart until the locking plate 35 is swung out of engagement with the neck 33. As, however, the collar 34 is of no greater diameter than the opening 32 of the shank 25 and when the locking plate 35 swings out in the dotted position shown in Fig. 4, thereby disengaging the stud 30, the shank 27 can be removed sideways by the passing of collar 34 through the opening 32 and the two Shanks in this manner separated.

A second opening 39 is furnished in the shank 25 and so positioned, that it will coincide with the notch 38 in the locking plate 35, when the latter is swung into full line position shown in Fig. 5. After the Shanks have been detached as already described, it is evident, that the shoulder 31 of the stud 30 may be put into the opening 39 and the Shanks locked together by swinging the locking plate 35 in position, when its notch 38 will thereupon engage the neck 33 cf the stud 30 locking the shanks as shown in Fig. 5. The minimum gap between jaws 26 and 28 with theA parts in this position will be equal to the maximum gap with the parts as shown in Fig. 4 and the maximum gap in the re-set position are indicated by dotted lines of a jaw 28 in Fig. 5. The arcs 40 and 41 are laid out in the same manner and in the same relative position tothe airis of journals 29 and 30 as has already been described with regard to Figs. Il., 2 and 3 but it should be observed that in 'this case a third arc 42 is also provided which stands in the same relation to arc 4l as the latter stands in relation to arc 40 of the cam surface.

Referring now particularly7 to- Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10 and ll a modified form of adjustment is here illustrated where the Shanks 45 and 46 are similar to those described in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 with the difference, however, that instead of two separate openings 32 and in said figures, two openings 47 and 48 are here shown connected by a narrow slot 49. As before a stud 50 is carried in aperture 5i in the shank 46 but this stud 50 extends through opening 47 or 48 in the shank 45 and terminates with the head 52 at the outer face on the left side of shank 45, while nut 53 threaded on the stud 50 holds the latter in position in the shank. In the portion of the stud situated in the shank 45 are two side projections 54 which are of the same diameter as the enlarged openings 47 and 48 while the stud on the iiat sides of the wings 54 are no greater than the width of the slot- 49 connecting the two openings 47 75 and 48, see particularly Fig. l1.

As seen in Figs. 7 to il, the stud 50 engages in the upper opening 47 of shank 45 so that the jaws 55 and 55 can close as seen in these figures and in this manner provide a narrow gap of the pliers. lWith thostud 50 shifted down into the lower opening 48 a larger gap will be obtained.

ln order to lock the stud 50 in either one of these openings, a locking arm 57 is in-'85 serted between the nut 53 in the right-hand face of the shank 46 and Aeyed on the stud so that, when the locking arm 57 is turned, the stud 50 will turnwith it. For this purpose the shank 46 has an arcuate surface 58 swinging from the center of aperture 5l in said shank pern'iitting a 90 degree turn of the arm 57 from its full line position in Fig. 8 to the dotted line position in the same gure; that is to say from the, locking position in Fig. l1 with the wings 54 across the shank,LA to its unlocked position with thev wings lengthways of slot 49 permitting'v the passing of the stud to the opening 48.

In order to retain the. locking arm 57 in its locking position, a fiat spring 59 is attached to the upper face of shank 46 as best seen in Fig. 8. The end of the spring 59 engages in a recess furnished at the end of the locking arm 57.

The movable jaw 5G is here shown with the tail 6G of a longer radius than the upperV point 61 of the jaw. This is intended to provide a longer base for engagement between the movable jaw and the shank 45. The cam arcs G2, (33, 64 and 65 are here constructed on the saine principle as described with relation to Figs. V1Y and 2 and docs not need to he repeated.

rfhe pliers may be provided with wire clipping notches (S5 and GG as indicated in Figs. l and 2, as at 50.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A pair of plie-rs comprising a. shank with a fixed jaw positioned substantially at. right-angles thereto, asecond shank pivoted to the first shank and provided with an arm having an' aperture, a movable j aw journaled in said aperture and interengaging means between said first shank and said movable jaw compelling the gripping faces of said jaws to remain parallel during the operation of the pliers.

2. A pair of pliers comprising a shank .right-angles with a fixed jaw positioned substantially at right-angles thereto, a second shank pivoted to the first shank and provided with an arm having an aperture, a movable jaw j ournalcd in said aperture and interengaging means between said first shank and said movable jaw compelling the gripping faces of Said jaws to remain parallel during the operation of the pliers, said interengaging means in cluding a cam surface on said first shank and abutments on said movable jaw adapted to engage with said cam surface.

A pair of pliers comprising a shank with a fixed jaw positioned substantially at right-angles thereto, a second shank pivoted to the first shank and provided with an arm 4having an aperture, a movable jaw j ournaled in said aperture and interengaging means between said first shank and said movable jaw compelling the gripping faces of said jaws to remain parallel during the operation of the pliers, said interengaging means including a cam surface on sa-id first shank and abutments on said movable jaw adapted to engage with said cam surface; said cam surface consisting of a. series of ridges with their apices situated on lines parallel with the gripping face of said fixed jaw, said lines running through the center of the journal of said movable jaw in its two extreme positions and the valley between said ridges being situated on another parallel line running through the center of the journal of the Shanks.

a. A pair of pliers comprising a shank with a xed jaw positioned substantially at thereto, a second shank pivoted to the first shank and provided with an arm having an aperture, a movable jaw journaled in said aperture and interengaging means between said first shank and said movable jaw compelling the gripping faces of said jaws to remain parallel during the operation of the pliers, said interen'gaging means including a cam surface on said first shank and abutments on said movable jaw adapted to engage with said cam surface, said cam surface consisting of a series of ridges with their apices situated on lines parallel with the gripping face of said fixed jaw said lines running 'through the center of the journal of said movable jaw in its two extreme positions and the valley between said ridges being situated on another par allel line running through the center of the journal of the shanks, said ridges being described with a radius equal to the distance between said journals.

5. A pair of pliers comprising a shank with a fixed jaw positioned substantially at right-angles thereto, a second shank provided with an arm having an aperture, a `movable jaw journaled in said aperture, a stud secured in said second shank and a series of openings in said first shank for said stud land means for vlocking the stud selectively in any one of said openings.

6. A pair of pliers comprising a shank with a fixed jaw ypositioned substantially at right-angles thereto, a second shank provided with van arm having an aperture, a movable jaw journaled in said aperture, a stud secured in lsaid second shank and a series of openings in said rst shank for said stud and means for locking the stud selectively in any one of said openings, and interengaging means between shank and said movable jaw compelling the gripping faces of said jaws to remain parallel during the operation of the pliers.

7. A pair of pliers comprising a shank with a fixed jaw positioned substantially at right-angles thereto, a second shank provided with an arm having an aperture, a movable jaw journaled in said aperture, a stud secured in said second shank and a series of openings in said first shank for said stud and' means for locking the stud selectively in any one of said openings and interengaging means between said first shank and said movable jaw compelling the gripping faces of said jaws to remain parallel during the operation of the pliers, said locking means including a swinging arm adapted to engage with said stud.

8. A pair of pliers comprising a shank with al xed right-angles thereto, a second shank provided with an arm having an aperture, a

movable jaw journaled in said aperture, ay

stud secured in said second shank and a Series of openings in said first shank for said stud and means for locking the stud selectively in any1 one of said openings, and interengaging means between said first shank and said movable jaw compelling the gripping faces of said jaws to remain parallel during the operation of the pliers, said locking means including an arm provided with notches registering with the openings in said first shank and adapted to engage witi a grooved portion provided on said stu 9. A pair of pliers comprising a shank with a fixed jaw positioned substantially at right-angles thereto, a second shank provided with an arm having an aperture, a movable jaw journaled in said aperture, a stud secured in said second shank and a series of openings in said first shank for said stud and means for locking the stud selectively in any one of said openings, and interengaging means between said first shank and said movable jaw compelling the gripping faces of said jaws to remain parallel during the operation of the pliers, said locking means including an arm rigidly secured on said stud, a latch on said second shank, said stud being provided with wings of a diameter equal to that of said opensaid firsty jaw positioned substantially at ings and having flat sides of a Width equal a second shank pivoted to the first shank and 10 to that of Said slot; whereby said Wings are provided with an arm, a movable jaw pivotadapted to engage selectively in one or said ed on` said arm, and interengaging means openings to be retained therein with the between said first shank and said movable arm in locked position, and swung to pass jaw, compelling` the gripping faces of said along said slot with the arm in unlocked. jaws t0 remain Substantially parallel durif postlon, e ing the operation of the pliers.

10, A pair. 0f pliers Comprising a Shank ln teSilmOIly WlleIB I afX my'signatuie. having a jaw arranged at an angle thereto, HENRY H. MATHIS. [n s] 

